THE GUDEMAN OF BALLAGEICH.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 242, 26 September 1914, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GUDEMAN OF BALLAGEICH.

James V. was born at Linlithgow oi) April 10, 1512, and his popularity may be judged from some of the endearing titles by which he is known to history, such as “the Gudeman of Ballangeich” and “the Poor Man’s King.” He repressed disorder and punished crime, and caused the law to be obeyed in the remotest parts of his dominion. He is the reputed leader of the national Order of St. Andrew, and in 1532 he founded th© College of Justice (Court of Session) at Edinburgh. A poet of no mean order, he was of a romantic turn of mind, and in some of his escapades was disguised as a beggar • An adventure at Cramond nearly cost him his life. On the narrow bridge which spans the Almond, James was beset by four men, against whom he mad© a stand with his sword, but was almost beaten when rescued by a peasant, armed with a flail, who took him into a barn and bathed his wounds, little knowing that he was succouring his King. In the course of conversation James discovered that the height of his deliverer’s ambition was to be proprietor of the little farm on which he was employed as a labourer. Aware that it was Crown property, James told the man to go to Holyrood and inquire for the “Gudeman of Ballangeich.” The peasant presented himself as appointed, and was met by the King, dressed as he had been before, who conducted him through the Palace, and asked him if he would like to see the King. The man (John Howison) said he would, “provided ho gave no offence.” “But how shall I know him?” he added. “Easily,” replied James; “all others will be bareheaded, the King alone will wear his bonnet.” Scared by his surroundings and the uncovered crowd in the great hall of Holyrood, John looked around him, and then observed, innocently, “The King must be either you or me, for all but us are bareheaded.”

James and the courtiers laughed; but he bestow ed upon honest John Howisop the lands of Braehead, on condition that he and his successors should be ready to present a ewer and basin for the King to wash his hands when his Majesty should come to Holyrood or pass the bridge of Cramond. In the year 1822, when George IV. came to Scotland, a descendant of John Howison, then still in possession of Bnaehead. appeared ata solemn festival and offered his Majesty water fro© a sib'w ewer.